Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or its characters.
Also as a quick warning, there is some strong language in these next few chapters, but I couldn't do Tayuya without making her swear left and right.
Chapter 36: Orochimaru's Move
Team 7, led by their very own Haku, had been assigned to escort Shibi back to the Waterfall village where he was originally from. They had left the day after Naruto's date with Hinata and Sakura had spent the entire trip so far asking Naruto how it went and how he had somehow become such a romantic. Naruto spent the entire trip trying his best to answer her questions, or avoid them when they got a little more personal. Sasuke, although he had secretly observed Naruto's date, had not wanted anything to do with Naruto's date. While Haku found it sweet at first, he eventually saw it as too much of a distraction from their current mission.
The first and second days of their travel were fairly uneventful, with only a group of bandits attempting to ambush them, only to be dispatched with ease. They had set up camp for the evening. If everything went smoothly, they would arrive at the waterfall village the evening of the next day.
After gathering the necessary supplies for camp, Haku made a run for water as Shibi went to the bathroom. This left Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura to attend to the tent and fire by themselves and Sakura continued asking Naruto on the past night.
"Shh…Sakura, be quiet" said Sasuke, pulling out a kunai. Naruto sensed it to, or at least Kurama did and he notified Naruto. Within seconds, the three Leaf genin were on guard with Haku away and Shibi nowhere to be found.
Suddenly, four figures came down from the trees, surrounding them.
"Who the hell are you?!" shouted Naruto.
"Keep quiet you piece of trash" responded one of the four ninja. "We are the Sound 4. I am the east gate's Kidoumaru." This ninja wore a sound headband, had a Shikamaru-like hair cut, and…six arms?
"South gate's Jiroubou." This ninja was big. He had the size of a full grown Akamichi and his hair was in a mohawk.
"West gate's Sakon." This ninja had white hair that was just shorter than shoulder-length and for some reason he had an extra head coming out of the back of his body.
"North gate's Tayuya." Tayuya was the only female member of this team, wearing a black cam that covered her red hair.
"We've come to extend an offer to Sasuke Uchiha" said Kidoumaru.
"Yeah, well I suggest you speak quickly or leave" said Sasuke.
"Now now, is that any way to treat someone who has something to offer?" responded Kidoumaru.
"Offer?" This got Sasuke's interest, kind of. "What is it that freaks like you could offer me? I don't want six arms or two heads if that's what you're offering."
"I told you we shouldn't bother negotiating with these pieces of trash. Let's just kill the blonde dumb-ass and pink-haired whore and go" said Tayuya.
"What?!" said all three Leaf ninja in unison.
"Now now, Tayuya" said Kidoumaru. "I apologize for my teammate. We come here representing Orochimaru-sama. Sasuke, Orochimaru has had his eye on you for some time now. What he seeks to offer you is power."
"Orochimaru?!" exclaimed Sakura. "You mean that snake freak from the chunin exams?"
"Why would Sasuke go to the bastard who killed the Old Man?!" shouted Naruto.
"Tell your master I'm no pawn. I already know what he wants and I have no interest in every seeing him again, except for killing him" commented Sasuke.
*Flashback*
"Kakashi-sensei, what was that curse mark thing you were talking about the other day?" asked Sasuke. It was shortly after he had been awakened by Tsunade from the Tsukuyomi-induced coma.
"Yes, about that. Meet me in the Hokage tower in twenty minutes. The same room we were in when we had that talk regarding Naruto and his…condition and I'll tell you about that" said Kakashi.
"And by twenty minutes you mean…"
"Don't worry, I won't be late" assured Kakashi. "I just have to go pick up someone who knows more about this."
Sasuke made his way to the tower, interested in what exactly this curse mark was. After all, he had come mere moments away from having said curse mark given to him. Inside the meeting room, he was surprised that Kakshi was actually there, and he had brought another person with him…the creep lady from the chunin exams, Anko.
"What is she doing here?" asked Sasuke.
"I'm here because I know more about that accursed mark than anyone in the village" replied Anko, revealing the back of her neck.
"So that's Orochimaru's curse mark?" asked Sasuke, staring at Anko's mark in a combination of shock and curiosity.
"Yes, Sasuke. We feared that you have gotten it during the chunin exams, but thankfully you managed to avoid that fate" explained Kakashi.
"Yeah, but what's the big deal about it anyways?" asked Saskue once more.
"The mark, while it grants you power, it slowly eats away at your mind, driving you more and more insane. You eventually lose your mind until you're nothing more than a puppet of his. The mark is like a trade-off, you get a little bit of Orochimaru's cursed power but at the same time, you basically sell your soul to him" explained Anko.
"But, what would he want with me?"
"Simple. He wants your Sharingan" said Kakashi.
"What?!" said a surprised Sasuke.
"Sasuke, listen to me carefully on this. I don't know too much about the details on this organization, but Orochimaru used to be a member of Akatsuki…the same organization your brother belongs to" explained Kakashi. Sasuke looked on wide-eyed. "Our sources tell us the reason Orochimaru left was because he wanted the Sharingan but failed miserably to beat Itachi to obtain it. Do you see? If he gets the Sharingan, he will get a power that we cannot afford for him to have."
"H-he tried to take it f-from Itachi?" asked Sasuke. He didn't know what to feel at this point. Should he feel enraged at the mention of Itachi? Should he feel worried that Orochimaru is after him for the Sharingan?
"Sasuke, Master Jiraiya uncovered a disturbing secret about Orochimaru during his recent travels…He has perfected a jutsu that allows him to change bodies in order to keep himself alive. We think that's what he wants with you. He wants to make your body his own so that he can get your Sharingan" explained Kakashi.
*End Flashback*
"I know why he wants me. I know that he intends to use me as a new body" said Sasuke. This kind of surprised and shocked his teammates.
"You really should be honored Orochimaru is so fond of you. Not everyone gets that privilege" said Kidoumaru.
"Privilege?! What kind of shit privilege is that? Giving up your body and soul to a freak who will just destroy your home?" shouted Naruto.
"I told you we should just kill the trash and take Sasuke alone" muttered Tayuya.
All this time, Tayuya's talk about killing his team began to enrage Sasuke. To be completely honest, despite the flaws of both Naruto and Sakura, they were now the closest things he had to family. He wouldn't admit it openly, but they were. Sakura was still a semi-fangirl, but she was slowly improving. Needless to say, that time Naruto had mentioned he had a date, he had almost been tempted to take her up on her offer. Maybe not a date, but some company for dinner would be nice. Speaking of Naruto, the bond the two of them had was rather complex. They used to hate each other and the assigning of the two of them on the same team was one of the worst days for Sasuke. However, it was during the Wave mission that Sasuke truly began to realize that he did in fact had a certain level of respect towards Naruto for doing everything he could to improve himself. During that mission, a rivalry had developed between the two and Sasuke was able to take advantage of some of that rapid progress Naruto was making, using the rivalry to speed his own progress.
They were the closest things he had to family right now. He wasn't going to lose his family again. "If you even touch them…I'll kill all four of you myself!" declared Sasuke, activating his Sharingan. Naruto and Sakura prepared for the coming battle as well.
Haku had managed to find a clear stream to gather water from. However, he managed to feel a rather familiar presence. Turning around, he noticed a white-haired man that he knew from a long time ago.
"How long has it been, Haku?" asked the mysterious ninja.
"It feels like it's been too long, Kimimaru. Certainly, too long for an old friend" said Haku, addressing his old friend. The two took a seat next to each other on a rock near the river. "So tell me, how have you been these years?"
"I am happy, I have found an honorable man to serve. In fact, I am here on a mission for him now" said Kimimaru. "Has everything been going well for you?"
"Yes, I have found many people who I hold precious to me. It started with Zabuza-sama, but then I found a few more friends and they even helped us find a new home" explained Haku.
"That is good. So tell me, who are these precious people? And where have you found a home?" asked Kimimaru. He was honestly happy for his friend's fortune in finding a home, even if it wasn't with the man he admired. However, Haku's answer shattered that happiness.
"We met in the Wave Country. Their names are Naruto Uzumaki, Sakura Haruno, and Sasuke Uchiha. They took me back to Konoha and helped me find a home there" said Haku, smiling a little.
"I am sorry to hear that" said Kimimaru.
"Huh? Why is that? Where did you find a place to call home?" asked Haku.
"I am sorry that Konoha has tainted you like this. However, I can offer you a chance to save yourself. The man I serve is great and surely he will welcome you with open arms. Come with me, come with me to meet Orochimaru-sama" said Kimimaru, offering Haku an alternative.
Now Haku knew why Kimimaru's mood had changed all of the sudden. "Orochimaru has a need for Sasuke. Help me bring him back, and you will surely be welcome…" Kimimaru was interrupted when a barrage of ice was sent his way, forcing the two apart.
"I am sorry, my friend. But I fear it is you who has made a mistake in choosing your home. The people of Konoha are precious to me now and I will not allow Orochimaru to harm my true friends, even if that means killing you" declared Haku as the two faced each other, preparing for battle.
"Wow! I can't believe you won, Tsuande-sama!" exclaimed Shizune as the lottery official placed Tsunade's winnings on the desk.
"Shit, what is it this time?" worried Tsunade. Over the years, she had earned the title the Legendary Sucker because when it came to gambling, frankly she sucked. She would normally blow thousands, if not millions, or ryo in gambling halls and walk out with next to nothing. However, when she did win, it usually preceded something bad. The last time she won big was back in Tanzaku Town, right before Orochimaru came to her.
"Shizune, tell the doctors to prepare the ICU!" ordered Tsunade.
"What?! Why? What should I tell them to prepare for?" asked a slightly confused Shizune.
"I don't know…" said Tsunade before being interrupted by an ANBU.
"Hokage-sama, you need to come quickly" said the ANBU. Tsunade quickly followed suit with Shizune running behind.
They entered a room in the lower levels of the Hokage Tower where the ANBU had set aside for purposes such as briefing. Inside, Tsunade found a body lying on the table, obviously dead. "This is…what the hell is the meaning of this?!" shouted Tsunade. The body on the table was the body of Shibi, the same exact person that Team 7 had been assigned to escort.
"Hokage-sama, he's been dead for a few days now. Furthermore, he's mission his face" said one of the ANBU.
"What?!" Tsunade new exactly what this meant….Orochimaru.
"You know what this means" said Jiraiya, entering the room and bypassing the security seals once again. "Orochimaru."
"Hokage-sama, if I'm correct, didn't Shibi leave the village escorted by Team Kakashi just a few days ago?" asked an ANBU.
A large crash was heard as Tsunade's hand came crashing down on the table in the middle of the room, breaking it in two.
"You don't think, do you?" asked Jiraiya.
"I'm afraid so. This mission was a setup to get Sasuke away from the village and into Orochimaru's hands" said Tsunace.
"Naruto…" thought a worried Jiraiya. "Then we have to go after them. Bring them back. Orochimaru will kill them and then use Sasuke to come at the village!"
"I know. Shizune, gather a team of medics and prepare to move out. Jiraiya, go find Kakashi, Zabuza, and Tsume Inuzuka" ordered Tsunade. Meet at the front gates in one hour!" ordered Tsunade.
About forty minutes later, 8 of the Leaf's top shinobi were assembled at the gates of Konoha. Tsunade prepared to brief them on the mission they were about to head out on. "Just an hour ago, we discovered the faceless body of Shibi, a leader of the Waterfall village and the same individual currently being escorted by your team, Kakashi. This Face Transfer Jutsu is only known to be used by one individual…Orochimaru. We believe his target is Sasuke Uchiha. You are to find Sasuke Uchiha, Naruto Uzumaki, Sakura Haruno, and Haku Yuki and bring them back immediately. This is an S-rank mission at the lowest and all of you are aware that a confrontation with Orochimaru himself is highly likely. If you are not up for this, please say so now!" No one backed out. All of them were determined not to let another fellow Leaf shinobi die at the hands of Orochimaru.
"Good. Dismissed!" ordered Tsuande as the team took off towards the supposed location of Team 7. They were just a little more than a day behind and with 'Shibi' having some shinobi training, there was no doubt Team 7 was moving at a fairly quick pace as their client wasn't a normal civilian who couldn't use chakra to enhance their movements. Jiraiya paused for a moment before taking off himself. "Jiraiya, bring them back alive, I beg you."
"Don't worry Tsunade-hime, I promise. I won't let Orochimaru have his way again" said Jiraiya before taking off as well.
Author Notes
Well there is the next chapter. I apologize that it is short. I had thought about combining the upcoming fights with this chapter, but figured it would be better to spit them into two chapters. Not to mention I felt this was a good place to let you hang for a few days before I post the next chapter :p
Regarding the relationship I mentioned between Naruto and Sasuke. As I said in a previous note, I am in the process of revising the first few chapters of the story. I will be building their relationship a little more in these revised chapters so just bare with me until I get a chance to post them.
So in summary, 'Shibi' has gone mission and Naruto, Sakura, and Sasuke have been approached by the Sound Four. This time, thanks to a prior warning from Kakashi, Sasuke is not taking them up on their offer to come quietly. Haku met his old friend Kimimaru and the two realized they were soon at odds with one another as their beliefs are put on the line.
The match ups are set, Naruto/Sakura/Sasuke vs the Sound Four and Haku vs Kimimaru. How will things turn out? Will Orochimaru get Sasuke? Will Team 7 survive their encounter? Who is 'Shibi'? Will Jiraiya and his team make it in time? Until next time.
Please read and review.